A week before early voting begins in Texas, Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico attempted to account for past statements that have ended up as attack-ad fodder.
Select voters in the audience at a town hall hosted by CNN and Jubilee Media repeatedly pressed Talarico on controversial comments dogging his bid to be the first Democrat elected statewide in 32 years.
Sarah Gardner, a voter from Talarico’s hometown of Round Rock, confronted the candidate directly about his comment that “God is nonbinary” and told him that it has “led a lot of Christian voters to question the authenticity” of his faith.
“The first comment about God not being defined by gender, when I said that, I was being provocative,” said Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian who frequently references his religious beliefs in his politics. “I think what I was saying is actually not controversial theologically; the idea that we can’t define God using human categories. Not only did I say that, but the late Charlie Kirk said that. The late Pope Benedict said that.”
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Gardner responded that she believes Talarico should be more careful about using “modern cultural terms when talking about God,” and Talarico welcomed the criticism.
“Preachers often will say something shocking in a sermon to get your attention,” Talarico said. “That’s something I’m still learning how to do in a responsible way … where I’m actually communicating what I mean and not muddying the waters.”
CNN anchor and moderator Erin Burnett also questioned Talarico’s 2020 comments on capitalism when he told the Austin Sierra Club that he believes capitalism is an “oppressive system.” In recent months, Talarico’s campaign has described the candidate as a “proud capitalist.”
Talarico responded that the media had taken “one sentence out of a long conversation” and used it “to try to paint a picture” of his stance.
“I was talking about the system we have now, which is actually not capitalism. It’s crony capitalism. What’s rewarded in this economy is people who can pay for access,” Talarico said. “What I’m trying to get back to is OG capitalism.”
Pressed by Burnett, Talarico also said that his comment during a Democratic Senate primary debate that it was “time to tear down this secret police force and replace it” wasn’t meant to be seen as an explicit call for the abolition of ICE.
Talarico avoided mentioning his Republican opponent, state Attorney General Ken Paxton, until the event’s final moments, saying that he does not want to convince Texans to vote “against” Paxton but rather for his policies on their own merit. Talarico says Paxton has dodged his repeated calls for a debate, and Burnett said that while Paxton was invited to attend the town hall, CNN had not received a response.
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